I saw some Youtubers dragging Steemit’s name through the mud...
...and, I gotta say, I was triggered.
My heart started beating faster, and the next thing I knew, my fingers were typing so fast that it was like they had been training for this very moment. I responded to one of both of these Youtubers and told him why EVERYTHING they said in their videos was WRONG.
And then we fought to the death.
Just kidding.
Actually, despite feeling like a raging spider monkey who just wanted to angrily fling my poop at someone, I explained to them why they were 100% dead wrong in a nice way.
Because I really don’t like to be mean to people if I can help it.
It’s just that this was his 2nd youtube video I’ve seen this week pedaling incorrect info about Steemit with a clickbait headline saying something along the lines of “Earn $1,100 per day on Steemit!”
At that point, I’d had enough.
Now, one of them wasn't so bad, because he admitted in his video that he didn't really know how things worked. I know his intention wasn’t to drag Steemit’s name through the mud. Then I started wondering “Why do I care so much when I see false info spread about Steemit?”
"Why do I get so defensive?”
“Why does it bother me so much when I see these videos?”
"Do I have hidden anger issues that I need to see a therapist for?! Was my childhood okay!??”
I had a fairly good childhood and I’m generally pretty happy so I think it’s safe to say that’s not why I’m feeling so ragey about it.
I thought about it.
And wondered some more as to why I feel so passionate about correcting people’s misconceptions about Steemit.
For crying out loud, I wanted to throw my fictitious monkey poop through the screen at the guy! Not a good look.
Then I finally realized why I was so upset...
I get mad because I care about steemit. I guess you could say I was feeling protective.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve grown to love steemit. I look forward to interacting with people every day. I love the fact that I see things out in the real world and I think things like “oh man, 
Steemit is a place where I’ve made real friendships with people I’ve never met in person. It’s a platform that has allowed me to form REAL life friendships and gave me opportunities to meet up with AMAZING people who share similar interests as me.
It’s a place where I’ve spread my wings. I’ve grown. I’ve put myself out there. I’ve been motivated and encouraged daily. I’ve been inspired to improve my skills.
There’s just something amazing about this platform that makes me feel like I can try anything in the world and there will be people here to support me along the way.
Maybe I could learn ukulele and be brave enough to put out an awesome song cover like 
Steemit has quickly become one of my favorite social media platforms. I’ve even filed for divorce from my instagram account, which should be finalized in a few weeks.
Steemit, however, is NOT a place to get rich quick.
And when I see a ton of people commenting on these videos that they want to sign up for steemit because they think they can earn $1,000 for posting a picture of a bear...
...it rubs me the wrong way!
Not because I don’t want new users to join the platform, because I do.
But you can see why this is kinduva problem, right?
Imagine, you come across this super great video online that makes you believe you will make $700 for a picture of your breakfast, and all you have to do is sign up for a free account on steemit.
It makes being a contributor on the platform seem like even a monkey should be able to make bank on this thing and be able to retire within just a few months.
When you sign up and find out that the guy who posted the pic of his broom made 100x the $ you did, it can make you feel stupid. How could broom-picture guy figure out how this works, but you can’t? You got good grades in school. Not fair!
The reality is it's being presented in the wrong way, people don't come to add value, or maybe they do come to add value, but either way, they feel dumb and then give up and leave.
It’s okay to come to the platform in hopes of making money.
If we’re honest with ourselves, a lot of us came here for that, right? I’m just afraid that if too many people see it as a get rich quick scheme, they will come, spam a lot, get frustrated and then leave.
We don’t need more spam on Steemit.
We don’t even need more spam on our breakfast plates, because let’s face it, that stuff is so not healthy for you (but dang is it tasty when cooked inside a fried egg… Filipino style).
Is steemit still a good platform to sign up on even if you can’t get rich quick?
Heck yeah! You CAN make money on steemit.
Steem is a great investment. I’m super bullish on it (well duh, I better be)!
It’s got first mover advantage in decentralized social media world so basically, it’s ballin’.
It has a blockchain which means it’s off the chain. What other social media site has a wallet and money transfer and savings account all rolled into one?
You can get paid for liking people’s shiz.
You can find a community here in almost every niche possible.
You can make friends! In 10 years of using Facebook, I’ve only made ONE friend because of Facebook. In 4 years of using instagram, I’ve only made 2 instagram friends. In 5 months of steemit, I’ve made enough friends to not even feel like counting right now.
The community here is real, people.
But it takes a lot of time as an investment. You spend a lot of time here investing in others. In checking out their stuff. Leaving a thoughtful comment. Or, leaving an unfiltered one without thinking and looking like an idiot and then editing it 5 times until the comment eventually looks thoughtful.
All that takes time.
And you may never become a whale just by posting a picture of a bear. Or even by posting some good articles. It’s not a get rich quick thing. Steemit isn’t the maker of insta-whales.
But that’s okay.
Not everybody can be whales.
The eco-system would cease to exist if everyone was a whale.
It’s just not how the world works.
And that’s okay.
So, do you want to know how this story really ends? How did it end with the youtuber and me?
Well, I ended up answering a lot of questions about steemit and clearing up the misconceptions aaaaand you may see him here on steemit soon! :) He says he's in it for the long haul.